The Promise of a Savior

Isaiah 9:6–7

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, acknowledging the wonder of Your promises. Lord, as we open Your Word tonight, may our eyes see, our ears hear, and our hearts receive the message of hope You have given us in Isaiah 9.

Thank You for sending a Savior into a dark and broken world—a child who would be born, a Son who would be given. Open our hearts to understand His names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. May we see His reign, trust His wisdom, and rest in His peace.

Holy Spirit, guide our thoughts and focus our attention on Jesus, the Promised Savior. May this time in Your Word not just inform us but transform us, drawing us closer to the One who came to save. We pray this in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Introduction

Christmas is the season of many promises—promises of family gatherings, promises of gifts under the tree, promises of joy, laughter, and warmth. But if we’re honest, many of those promises come up short. Presents break. Plans fall apart.

People disappoint. But the good news of Christmas is this: God made a promise that cannot be broken, a promise that cannot fail, a promise wrapped not in paper but in flesh—Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Isaiah wrote 700 years before the manger ever cradled the Messiah. The people of Israel were surrounded by darkness—political darkness, spiritual darkness, moral darkness. And into that darkness, God sent a word of hope:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6

“Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…” — Isaiah 9:7

Isaiah gives us not just a prophecy—but a promise. Not just a prediction—but a portrait of the One who would save the world.

Today I want to show you four truths about this promised Savior.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NKJV

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

I. A CHILD WHO CAME SUPERNATURALLY

“Unto us a child is born… unto us a Son is given.”

Isaiah begins Christmas with a miracle.

“A child is born” speaks of His humanity. Jesus was not a ghost or an angel. He did not merely appear—He was born. He entered the world through a mother’s womb just like you and me. He was fully man.

But then Isaiah says, “A Son is given.” That is not humanity—that is deity. You are born, but you are not given. Only someone who existed before birth can be given.

Jesus Christ did not begin in Bethlehem; He stepped into Bethlehem. He is the eternal Son sent by the eternal Father.

He is God become man—Heaven’s gift to earth’s grief.

Transition: And because of who He is, Isaiah tells us what He does.

II. A KING WHO REIGNS SOVEREIGNLY

“And the government shall be upon His shoulder.”

Now, that doesn’t sound like the baby in the manger. It sounds like a King on the throne.

We look at our world and see chaos, corruption, division, war, hatred, and instability. Leaders come and leaders go, and every leader has a limit. But Isaiah says, the whole government of the universe rests on His shoulders.

The same shoulders that would carry a cross

Will one day carry a crown

And will forever carry the government of all creation

Jesus is not running for office—He already reigns.

His sovereignty is:

Supreme — No one outranks Him. Sufficient — No one can overthrow Him. Steadfast — No one can outlast Him.

Transition: But Isaiah moves from the weight on His shoulders to the wonder of His name.

III. A SAVIOR WHO SAVES SUFFICIENTLY

“His name shall be called…”

In Scripture, a name reveals nature. And Jesus is given four names that show the fullness of His saving work.

1. Wonderful Counselor — He Guides Us

Jesus is the wisdom of God personified.

He knows everything about everything.

He sees what you cannot see.

He understands what you cannot understand.

He leads you where you need to go.

He is not a confusing counselor—He is a Wonderful Counselor. His guidance is perfect because His knowledge is complete.

Transition: The One who guides us is also the One who guards us.

2. Mighty God — He Guards Us

The baby in the manger is the God of all glory.

He is the Mighty God…

Mighty enough to save a soul

Mighty enough to break a chain

Mighty enough to calm a storm

Mighty enough to defeat death

Mighty enough to uphold you when you fall

You don’t need a small Savior for small problems—you need a mighty Savior for impossible problems. And that’s exactly who He is.

Transition: But He is not only mighty—He is merciful.

3. Everlasting Father — He Governs Us

This does not mean Jesus is the Father. Isaiah is speaking of the fatherly nature of Christ’s reign.

He is:

Eternal in His being

Compassionate in His care

Faithful in His love

Unchanging in His character

He is a Father to the fatherless, a Shepherd to the scattered, a Protector to the powerless.

Transition: And from that fatherly care flows a priceless gift…

4. Prince of Peace — He Gives Us Peace

Only Jesus can give the peace your soul longs for.

He gives:

Peace with God — salvation Peace of God — serenity Peace from God — security

The world offers peace that depends on circumstances. Jesus offers peace that depends on Him—and He does not change.

Transition: So what will this Savior do? Isaiah answers with one more promise.

IV. A KINGDOM THAT STANDS SECURELY

“Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…”

What kind of kingdom is this?

1. A Kingdom of Increase

His kingdom doesn’t shrink—it spreads. It doesn’t diminish—it multiplies.

2. A Kingdom of Integrity

He rules with justice and righteousness. No corruption. No compromise. No shadows. No sin.

3. A Kingdom of Infinity

His kingdom has no end. Other kingdoms rise and fall. Other kings live and die. But Jesus Christ reigns forever.

How do we know this? Isaiah gives the answer: “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

God Himself guarantees the promise.

Conclusion: The Promise Calls for a Response

Christmas is not simply a holiday—it is a holy day. The manger is God’s message: “I keep My promises.”

Jesus came for us— lived for us— died for us— rose for us— and now reigns for us.

But a gift does you no good unless you receive it.

Isaiah said, “Unto us a child is born… unto us a Son is given.” You can put your name in that verse today.

If you’re lost—He is your Savior.

If you’re broken—He is your Healer.

If you’re burdened—He is your Mighty God.

If you’re lonely—He is your Everlasting Father.

If your soul is at war—He is your Prince of Peace.

The cradle leads to the cross, and the cross calls for a choice.

Today, will you receive the Promised Savior?

Invitation: Come to Christ. Come to the One whose name is above every name. Come to the Savior who came for you.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, Thank You for our promise of a Savior and for the fulfillment of that promise in Your life, death, and resurrection. Today, You have reminded us that Your kingdom is unshakable, Your peace is eternal, and Your love is sufficient for every need.

Father, help us to take this message out into the world. May we walk in the wisdom of the Wonderful Counselor, stand in the strength of the Mighty God, rest in the care of the Everlasting Father, and live in the peace of the Prince of Peace.

For those who have not yet received You, we pray that the Holy Spirit would draw them to Your arms tonight. Let the promise of Christmas not only fill our hearts with joy but compel us to respond with faith and obedience.

We offer this prayer in the name of the One whose birth we celebrate—Jesus Christ, Amen.